Plant box

ABSTRACT

This invention concerns a plant box comprising a container having at a distance from its unperforated bottom a perforated element delimiting with said bottom a drainage chamber containing a quantity of water limited by at least one lateral overflow aperture. This container contains, upon to the perforated element, a mass of mineral substance regularly moistened by wicks conveying water to it by capillary action. The said container rests in a water-tight tray, mounted on rollers, which contains a further quantity of water serving to humidify the air surrounding the plants.

I United States Patent [151 3,676,953

Delogne [451 July 18, 1972 [54] PLANT BOX 1,820,843 8/1931 Sp1tz ..47/392,081,337 5/1937 Lockyer..... 47/381 [72] Invent g i gz gg f 3,106,80110/1963 Risacher ..47/19 x [22] Filed: Aug. 31, 1970 PrimaryExaminer-Robert E. Bagwill A ll k l 2 pp No: 68,090 ttorney Sughrue,Rothwe Mlon, Z1nn & Macpea [57] ABSTRACT [30] Foreign ApplicationPriority Data This invention concerns a plant box comprising a containerSept. 4, 1969 Belgium ..78.71 8 having a distame fmm its ""P Peffmatedelement delimiting with said bottom a drainage chamber con- 521 US. Cl..47/3s.1 47/39 mining a quantity water limited by lateral [51 1 Int ClAmg 27/00 flow aperture. This container contains, upon to the perforated581 Field of Search 47/3s-39 19 elemen" a mass mineral Substanceregularly "mistened by wicks conveying water to it by capillary action.The said con- 56 R f tainer rests in a water-tight tray, mounted onrollers, which 1 e erences Cited contains a further quantity of waterserving to humidify the air UNITED STATES PATENTS SulTounding the P1,977,827 10/1934 Kneller ..47/38.l 4 Claim, 3 Drawing Figures 1 Q a j 1'2 F l g1 g 7 .4 17 III M 21- All] PLANT BOX The present inventionrelates to a plant box.

There exist plant boxes which have a container of terracotta or ofcompressed asbestos-cement, having a perforated bottom. The containercontains a mass of suitable mineral substance, in which the roots of theplants grow. This mass of mineral substance is separated from the bottomof the container by a water-drainage layer, generally consisting ofgravel or the remains of old containers. This container rests in a traypossibly mounted on rollers, which serves for the collection of theexcess drainage-water.

These known plant boxes have the disadvantage that they ensure only anirregular moistening of the mass of mineral substance, producing adeterioration of the roots. In fact this moistening is often excessiveand causes the roots to rot when the lower part of the mass of mineralsubstance is bathing in the drainage water contained in the tray inspite of the presence of the drainage layer placed on the perforatedbottom of the container. Also, this moistening is frequentlyinsufficient and causes the roots to wither when the drainage-watercontained in the tray evaporates quickly in a particularly dryatmosphere. The life of plants in these known plant boxes is thereforeuncertain, so that they are suitable only for robust specimens or inideal climates, for example in green-houses, verandas or winter gardens.

There also exist round plant pots. Each of these terracotta pots can beprovided with a circular perforated plate, generally of a syntheticmaterial. The perforated plate applies directly against the wall of thepot. This perforated plate supports a mass of suitable mineral materialcontaining the roots of the plants. Also the pot rests in a tray whichis not provided with rolling means.

These known pots have the disadvantage of ensuring only an uncertaindegree of moistening of the mass of mineral substance. In fact thedrainage water is situated in the tray and in the lower chamber of thepot, which are linked between them by the hole at the bottom of thelatter. This drainage water is exposed directly and continuously to thesurrounding air and is therefore in danger of evaporating completely.Also, the perforated plate is often difficult to remove from a pot to berecovered because it is wedged into the latter under the weight of themass of moistened mineral matter.

The invention relates to a new plant box which ensures simultaneouslythe continuous regular moistening of the mass of mineral materialcontaining the roots of the plants, and that of the air surroundingthem. This new plant pot enables, on a physiological level, the behaviorof the plants to be definitely controlled in micro-climates, unsuitableup until now by reason of lack of light, lack of fresh air, insufficientdegree of humidity of the surrounding air and lack of attention.

To this effect, the plant box in accordance with the invention has, incombination, a container of preferably relatively porous material, forexample of compressed asbestos-cement, having at a distance from itsunperforated bottom a perforated element of an identical or a similarmaterial. The perforated element delimits at the bottom of thecontainer-a drainage chamber containing a quantity of water limited byat least one lateral overflow aperture provided in a lateral wall ofthis container, between the bottom and the perforated element. Upon theperforated element, the container contains a mass of suitable mineralsubstance in which the plant roots are placed and in which they grow.The mass of mineral substance is regularly moistened by wicks or similarmembers conveying water by capillary action from the drainage chamberthrough the holes of the perforated element to this mass of mineralsubstance. The container rests in a water-tight tray, preferably mountedon rollers, which can contain a further quantity of water serving tohumidify the air surrounding the plant.

In accordance with a feature of the invention, the perforated elementsimply rests on flanges or shoulders inside or coming back within thelateral walls of the container.

In the case where the plants need warmth in order best to produce theirphysiological conditions for existence, the new plant box is providedwith at least one electrical resistance placed near the above-mentionedperforated element and preferably above it. This resistance serves forthe moderate heating of the mass of mineral substance containing theroots of the plants.

Further details and features of the invention will appear in the courseof the description and on the drawings attached to the presentspecification, which represent diagrammatically and only by way ofexample one mode of embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of one mode of embodiment of the plantbox in accordance with the invention, provided with a plant.

FIG. 2 is a vertical section of this plant box.

FIG. 3 is a horizontal section of the said plant box, along line IIIIIIof the preceding Figure.

In these different figures, identical elements are represented by thesame reference numerals.

The plant box illustrated consists essentially of a container 1 of aporous material, for example of compressed asbestos-cement. The choiceof such a material is determined by the fact that a liquid necessary tothe plant can rise by capillary action in the walls of the container 1from a supply, and regularly reach the roots of said plant. In thechosen, non-[imitative case the container 1 has a square horizontalcross-section.

The lateral walls 2 of the container 1 have lower parts formingcontinuous flanges 3, which come back or inwardly project in relation totheir remaining upper parts. These lateral walls 2 are unperforated buttheir lower parts have lateral apertures 4 regularly spaced and situatedat the same level between the flanges 3 and their lower edges.

The bottom 5 of the container 1 is flat and unperforated. However, thisbottom 5 is connected to the lateral walls 2 by an inwardly incurvedfillet.

In this way, the lower part of the interior of the container 1 thus hasa smaller horizontal section compared to the remaining part of it.

The container 1 has a perforated element in the form of a perforateddouble plate 6 which is for example flat and likewise of a porousmaterial such as compressed asbestos-cement. A perforated plate 6 ofthis kind favors the development and growth of the young roots in thelower part of the mass of mould or compost. The unperforated edge partof the perforated plate 6 rests on the flanges 3 of the lateral walls 2.On the other hand, the remaining central part of this perforated plate 6has corresponding holes 7 and 8 regularly spaced and essentially facingthe whole surface of the bottom 5.

The perforated plate 6 thus delimits, together with the bottom 5 and thelower parts of the lateral walls 2, a drainage chamber 9 closed at thebottom and open at the sides by the apertures 4 and at the top by theholes 7 and 8. This drainage chamber 9 is intended to contain a quantityof water 10 which cannot pass the level of the lateral apertures 4. Theoverflow apertures 4 also permit the ventilation of this quantity ofwater 10, and yet they do not impede the ascent of this water into theupper parts os the lateral walls 2 of the container 1.

The container 1 contains a mass 11 of enriched mould or of similarmineral substance, arranged on the perforated plate 6. The mass of mould11 is advantageously covered with gravel 12. The mass of mould 11 servesfor the support and the development of the roots 13 of at least oneplant 14.

This mass of mould 11 is regularly and continuously humidified withwater by the wicks 15 or similar members. Each wick 15 extends from themass of mould 11, through two corresponding holes 7 and 8 in theperforated plate 6 and the drainage chamber 9, to the quantity of water10 in which it is partly immersed. In this way, this wick l5 conveys thewater by capillary action from the drainage chamber 9 to the mass ofmould 11, thus satisfying the roots 13 needs in liquid, possiblynutritive.

Advantageously, the mass of mould 11 can be heated if necessary by aflat electrical resistance 16 capable of moderately heating the bottomsuitably for the development and growth of the young roots. In the caseillustrated, the resistance 16 is arranged at the center of theperforated plate 6 and between the constituent parts thereof. In thecase of a perforated plate consisting in a single layer, the resistanceis preferably placed above this plate.

The resistance 16 is supplied with electric current by conductors 17.This resistance 16 and the conductors 17 are insulated in relation tothe various constituent parts of the plant box.

The container 1 constituted and filled as above rests by its bottom in awater-tight tray 18 consisting for example of compressedasbestos-cement.

In the mode of embodiment under consideration, the bottom 19 of the tray18 has a central part which extends between two opposite edges thereofand which is low in relation to the remaining edge parts, on which thecontainer 1 effectively rests. In this way, the bottom 19 of the tray 18and that 5 of the container 1 delimit between them a lower chamber 20which is upwardly open at its two ends. The lower chamber 20 is intendedto contain a quantity of water 21 which can originate from the overflowof the drainage chamber 9. Since evaporation can be accelerated byheating the resistance 16, the quantity of water 21 freshens up theleaves of the plant 14 which are directly above this source of humid airwhich, moreover, is absorbed by the pores on the lower surface of theseleaves.

On the other hand, the lateral walls 22 of the tray 18 extend on eitherside of its bottom 19 and practically hide the lower part of the plantbox.

The tray 18 is mounted on a metal support 23 and rests thereon by theedge parts of its bottom 19. The support 23 is provided with rollers 24by means of which it can roll over the surface on which it stands. Inthis way, the whole plant box is easily and wholly displaceable on thissurface. It is to be noted that the support 23 and the rollers 24 keepthe tray 18 at a distance from the ground. In this way, an air currentis able to circulate between the tray 18 and the ground and to preventany condensation of liquid on the lower surface of the bottom 19 of thistray 18. Thus any dirtying or wetting of the ground beneath or near theplant box is avoided.

Obviously the invention is not limited exclusively to the mode ofembodiment illustrated, and modifications can be made to the form, thearrangement and the construction of certain of the elements involved inits production, so long as these modifications are not at variance withthe subject-matter of each of the following claims.

What I claim is:

ll. Plant box comprising in combination: a container of preferablyrelatively porous material, such as compresses asbestos-cement, saidcontainer having an unperforated bottom and lateral side walls withcontinuous inner flanges along their lower edges, said inner flangeshaving a generally horizontal portion extending inwardly around theentire perimeter of the container and a downwardly extending portionconnecting with said bottom, said lateral walls having at least oneoverflow aperture through the inner flanges, a perforated platesupported on said inner flanges of the lateral walls at a distance fromthe unperforated bottom of the container, said perforated platedelimiting with said bottom a drainage chamber containing a quantity ofwater, limited by the overflow aperture, a mass of suitable mineralsubstance container within said container upon the perforated plate andin which the plant roots grow, wick means extending through perforationsin the perforated plate, said wick means adapted for conveying water bycapillary action from the drainage chamber to the mass of mineralsubstance to regularly moisten said mineral substance, a water-tighttray for supporting said container, said water-tight tray having ahorizontal bottom surrounded by a continuous lateral wall, said bottomincluding a longitudinal central recess formed therein and extendingbetween opposite walls, the remaining portions of said bottom on thesides of said central recess adapted for supporting said container, theunperforated bottom of said container and said central recess forming alower chamber 0 en upwards at its ends and containing water to beevaporate through the open sapce between the walls of the tray and thelateral walls of the container to hurnidify the air surrounding theplant, a support for the tray positioned under the bottom thereof andbetween the lateral walls of said tray, said support being mounted onrollers, at least one electrical resistance heating means placedadjacent the perforated plate, said resistance heating means serving formoderately heating the mass of mineral substance containing the roots ofthe plant.

2. A plant box as recited in claim 1, wherein said perforated plate isfon'ned of relatively porous material.

3. A plant box as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electrical resistanceheating means is positioned above said perforated plate.

4. A plant box as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lateral walls of saidtray are aligned with the lateral walls of said container to give anappearance of a generally continuous lateral side wall.

1. Plant box comprising in combination: a container of preferablyrelatively porous material, such as compresses asbestos-cement, saidcontainer having an unperforated bottom and lateral side walls withcontinuous inner flanges along their lower edges, said inner flangeshaving a generally horizontal portion extending inwardly around theentire perimeter of the container and a downwardly extending portionconnecting with said bottom, said lateral walls having at least oneoverflow aperture through the inner flanges, a perforated platesupported on said inner flanges of the lateral walls at a distance fromthe unperforated bottom of the container, said perforated platedelimiting with said bottom a drainage chamber containing a quantity ofwater, limited by the overflow aperture, a mass of suitable mineralsubstance container within said container upon the perforated plate andin which the plant roots grow, wick means extending through perforationsin the perforated plate, said wick means adapted for conveying water bycapillary action from the drainage chamber to the mass of mineralsubstance to regularly moisten said mineral substance, a water-tighttray for supporting said container, said water-tight tray having ahorizontal bottom surrounded by a continuous lateral wall, said bottomincluding a longitudinal central recess formed therein and extendingbetween opposite walls, the remaining portions of said bottom on thesides of said central recess adapted for supporting said container, theunperforated bottom of said container and said central recess forming alower chamber open upwards at its ends and containing water to beevaporated through the open sapce between the walls of the tray and thelateral walls of the container to humidify the air surrounding theplant, a support for the tray positioned under the bottom thereof andbetween the lateral walls of said tray, said support being mounted onrollers, at least one electrical resistance heating means placedadjacent the perforated plate, said resistance heating means serving formoderately heating the mass of mineral substance containing the roots ofthe plant.
 2. A plant box as recited in claim 1, wherein said perforatedplate is formed of relatively porous material.
 3. A plant box as claimedin claim 1, wherein said electrical resistance heating means ispositioned above said perforated plate.
 4. A plant box as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said lateral walls of said tray are aligned with thelateral walls of said container to give an appearance of a generallycontinuous lateral side wall.